THE National classes at Millstreet, catering for horses, ponies and amateur riders, proved hugely popular and attracted strong support throughout the week, culminating in exciting finals which saw classes go down to the wire.

On Saturday, the €3,500 DAFM-sponsored 1.20m mares’ final saw 30 qualified combinations battling it out. Taking the win was Seamus Hughes Kennedy aboard the Clare Hughes-owned and bred Giovan De La Pomme-sired eight-year-old mare Cava, with a clear in 34.25. Sven Hadley took the runner-up spot with the 10-year-old Dominator 2000 Z-sired D’Extase DH Z, clear in 34.27. Nicola Fitzgibbon partnered Olwyn Alexander’s Ganesh Hero Z-sired seven-year-old MHS Zenyatta to a clear in 35.09 for third.